Hi folks,
I'm new here and to the RC community in general so go easy.
I'm planning a quadcopter build, I was initially thinking of using 4 EDF's. I'm not looking to make something crazy agile, more looking for stability but with a moderate level of manoeuvrability.
I want the finished build to be roughly 500mm at it's widest point and 450mm in length. I plan on building it from modelling/sculpting foam. powered by an 11.1V 6200mAh 35C hardcase lipo battery and ofcourse all essential avionics and servos.
As I said I'm new but I'm hoping to keep overall weight below 3 kilos. the EDF's I initially looked at are rated at 1.1kilos of thrust each now am I thinking right that the combined output of four of these will be enough to lift this build or am I thinking with my buttbrain? or would I be better looking into shielded rotors?
Thanks in advance.
Jon
Replies
Maybe someday I'll push the envelope but for now I'd like to make something simple with a fair amount of lifting power.
Aside from having the built in camera I want it to carry a video camera or cameras of varying weights.
I'm now thinking of a side by side dual rotor set up for this drone and play about with fans on another smaller project.
Jon,
If you really want to push the envelope on the technology... HERE is a German fellow doing unique work. HERE is a video.
It is not EDF but still freaking neat.
-=Doug
Greetings Jon!
Monroe speaks truth. There are very few EDF quadcopters that get beyond the 'look at that' stage. EDF motors turn crazy RPMs whereas most quad motors run with Slow-Flyer props and much lower RPMs. You will find the classic quadrotor brushless motor, ESC, and prop well below the price of an EDF setup.
Cudos for wanting to build your own. That's what I enjoy and consider part of the hobby.
That being said, don't let us discourage you from trying an EDF project but I wouldn't recommend it as a first project.
Here are some links to DIYD results for searching 'ducted fan'
http://diydrones.com/photo/quadcopter-ducted-fan
http://diydrones.com/photo/nacol-ducted-fan-tri
http://diydrones.com/photo/nacol-ducted-fan-quad
http://diydrones.com/photo/img1919-1
and many, many more.
The real issue, as Monroe mentions, is directional control. Pitch, Roll, and Lift are easy enough but Yaw... Yaw with a conventional quadcopter depends on fiddling with motor RPM to induce Yaw. An EDF arrangement would require either tilting an assembly, or two, or using some sort of thrust routing from the EDF assembly for directional vectors.
Regardless of what you decide, welcome again!
-=Doug